Malaysians seek alternative therapies to curb dengue

Dengue gripped Malaysia in a deadly epidemic this year, infecting more than 93,000 people between January and December 7, killing at least 190 people

Papaya juice, double-boiled frog meat, palatable coconut water are few alternative options that Malaysians are using to curb dengue menace

Singapore: Though the number of dengue cases across Malaysia is declining, some Malaysians feel the figures are still too high for comfort and are turning to traditional remedies.

Dengue gripped Malaysia in a deadly epidemic this year, infecting more than 93,000 people between January and December 7, killing at least 190 people.

In Selangor, Malaysia's most industrialized state, the number of dengue victims this past year has exceeded 48,000 more than double the number of cases in the same period last year.

"Selangor has a high density of residents compared to other states," said Selangor chief minister Mr Azmin Ali. "The second challenge is that of mobilizing the community and also cleanliness of the environment and housing areas."

The Malaysian government is conducting clinical tests on the dengue vaccine candidate, what it hopes will be the world's first dengue vaccine, expected to hit markets by mid-2015. Meanwhile Malaysians are moving to alternative therapies to curb the dengue menace.